Please join us in congratulating Tonya L. Hoover, who was presented with the 2025 John W. Hoglund Award. This award is presented by the IFSTA Executive Board to an individual who has exhibited outstanding leadership and service to the board and the organization during their tenure.
Fire Service has always been part of Tonya's family, however she got her start at the age of 14 as a volunteer junior member of her local Pennsylvania fire department. She served as fire inspector after graduating from Oklahoma State University with an Associate's degree in Fire Protection Technology and a Bachelor's degree in Technical Education Specializing in Fire Protection and Safety. Tonya also earned her Master's degree in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources from University of Phoenix, has received several certificates throughout her tenure, and retains a lifetime teaching credential in fire science from the State of California. Following her graduation from Oklahoma State, she served as fire inspector and continued to climb the ladder in the fire service. Tonya was appointed Deputy Campus Fire Marshal for the University of California at Berkeley. She worked her way up to Fire Marshal, Assistant State Fire Marshal, and became the State Fire Marshal for California. After her time in California, Tonya served as the Superintendent of the National Fire Academy, Deputy US Fire Administrator, and rose to Acting US Fire Administrator before her retirement as US Deputy Fire Administrator and California State Fire Marshal. In addition to her work with IFSTA's Board of Directors and various committees, Tonya has been active in the code arena and is an advocate for Community Risk Reduction. Her efforts toward fire protection and the education of future fire fighters has had an immeasurable positive impact on the fire service industry.
"During her time on the Board, she provided valuable information, insights, and connections that enabled the Board and IFSTA organization to further their success for the betterment of fire service training and education." - Mary Cameli
